"Prefered alternative"

On April 4, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Klamath River dam removal in which it states that full removal of all four Pacificorp dams is the “preferred alternative.”

Comment

By John Bowman

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By John Bowman

Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 12:55 PM

By John Bowman

Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 12:55 PM

Washington, D.C.

On April 4, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Klamath River dam removal in which it states that full removal of all four Pacificorp dams is the “preferred alternative.”

Congressional action is still necessary for the implementation of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA). The two agreement, signed by 42 stakeholder groups in 2010, outline the terms of dam removal, including habitat restoration projects.

The final EIS analyzes the impacts and benefits of dam removal, including ecological, aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social and public health. Several scenarios that would leave all or some of the dams in place were also evaluated as well as some unavoidable, significant environmental impacts associated with each alternative.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, DOI is required to identify a preferred alternative in the final EIS.

In a press release, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar said, “The preferred alternative finds that removal of the four facilities and implementation of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement are important components of a durable, long-term solution for local communities and tribes to advance the water and native fishery resources of the Klamath Basin.”

The release said Salazar is calling on Congress to pass the necessary legislation to enact a durable and longstanding solution for the Klamath Basin.

Salazar said, “Once again the communities of the Klamath Basin are facing a potentially difficult water year under a status quo that everyone agrees is broken. We need a comprehensive solution addressing all of the needs of the Klamath Basin, including fisheries, agriculture, refuges and power.”

While proponents of dam removal like the Karuk Tribe, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association, and the Salmon River Restoration Council have issued statements of support for the findings of the final EIS, groups like the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, Siskiyou County Water Users Association have expressed the belief that DOI’s entire review process has been tainted by political bias.

On April 2, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors – not a signatory to the agreements – approved a formal letter of complaint to DOI and Salazar, accusing them of bias and scientific misconduct in the review process.

Last month the Klamath County Board of Commissioners voted to withdraw from the dam removal agreements, though they had previously signed them under a different board.

The final EIS also considers and responds to more than 4,000 public comments received on the draft EIS. The final EIS is available at www.KlamathRestoration.gov. Paper copies are available for public inspection at several libraries in and around the Klamath Basin.

While the completion and release of the final EIS is one step on the road to dam removal, groups opposing the plan will likely continue to make their case in public and some have threatened litigation. In a region where water issues have been a source of contention for several decades, the controversy is not likely to end with the issuance of this most recent report.

Page 2 of 2 - If dam removal is approved by Congress and a favorable secretarial determination is made, dam removal is scheduled to begin in 2020 and would be the largest dam removal project in history.